Three Little Words

          Three simple words stared back at me in the form of a text message. Three words that seemed to hold all the power in the world. Three words that I deleted and rewrote about six times. "I love you" - short, simple, and sweet. In my mind, these words might have been my signature on the contract selling my soul. Suddenly these three syllables echoed in my head making me question what they even meant. Are they true? Do I really love him? Sure, we had said it before to each other. Those words were usually preceded by one of us being filled with gratitude for something that the other did. It always seemed natural to say. When the words rolled off my tongue in conversation, it was as if I was reading a scientific fact. There was no hesitation or doubt; that is, until I read them on my phone. Perhaps it was because I knew that once he saw it, there was no taking it back. I could not pretend that he heard me incorrectly. I couldn't laugh it off and change the topic before he got the chance to respond. No--it was right there. Size twelve font, clear as day: I love you. Why was this so hard for me to say? What do I mean when I say that I love someone? I suppose in my mind, when I say that I love someone, I am saying that I am theirs. They may have me as I am. They may hurt me, and they may not love me back, but I am still theirs. When we consider those consequences being held in three little words, it is easy to become afraid. We have grown up with two opposite ideas: the first idea being that love is a wonderful thing that we should give and take as much as we can. The second idea is that our heart should be guarded above all else. We are told that we should be very careful about whom we choose to love, because we will always end up being hurt. Well then, what are we to do with that? Is the potential thrill of loving and being loved in return worth the risk of being hurt and heart broken sometimes? I think it is. I think that love is the ultimate adventure that we should all embark on. Love is not the safety of your backyard on a summer day. No, love is the climb filled with stumbling, falling, rainstorms, and broken spirits. But the greatest part about such a climb is that when you reach the magnificent views along the way, you will be standing side by side with someone who appreciates the beauty as much as you do.